Modern platform at Nagpur station nearing completion

A new and modern railway platform is fast nearing completion on the eastern side of Nagpur Railway Station

Nagpur: A new and modern railway platform, which will serve as a traffic decongestant, is fast nearing completion on the eastern side of Nagpur Railway Station with many firsts for benefit of hundreds of rail users.

The need of a homeland platform on the eastern side of Nagpur station was being felt for a long time due to heavy congestion at the western side (main entrance), a senior Railway official said.

Nagpur is located on the Eastern side of the railway line, which initially came to the city from Wardha and Bhusawal in 1867.

Presently, the imposing station building with sandstone masonry and delicate arches is on the Western side. Downtown Nagpur had to ever since cross over the railway yard to reach the main entrance. The ordeal became acute lately owing to the never-ending work of the road over-bridge and slow progress in the last six years.

But this agony of rail users is likely to end within a month with the development of a user-friendly entrance on the Eastern side, popularly known as ‘Santra market side’, for being close to the wholesale Orange market here.

The new majestic facade of contemporary design depicting a large orange to reflect the ‘Orange City’ is well planned and has a well-lit circulating area with an attractive canopy, new escalator, drop-n-go facility, auto stand, car & two-Wheeler parking.

While the Western face of the station is classical and of heritage value, the Eastern face reflects modern and contemporary look.

“This new homeland platform (No.8) has a unique informatively designed roof cover which will be totally leak-proof, water coolers and water purifiers for dispensing drinking water along with a pleasant feeling of space in defused lighting,” Public Relations Officer of Nagpur division of Central Railway, P D Patil said.

This platform will be a virtual gallery of railway articles with old period clocks, lamps, bells, benches and such other pieces, preserved and displayed for posterity.

Patil said the added attraction for users of this platform will be the car-to-coach facility which is presently available only at select railway stations in metros. Nagpur will soon join this group. Passengers using this platform will have the option of going upto the platform directly by their car or two wheelers saving botheration of going over foot over bridge, he said.

Some of the works like full platform roof cover, washable concrete apron under the track will be done in next phase, Patil said.

When work was sanctioned, fund shortage was an issue but economical designs, innovative construction methods using recycled material etc. were adopted to overcome the resource crunch, Patil added.

Initially, trains starting from Nagpur will be dealt with this new platform. Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Brijesh Dixit had decided to utilise the barren area and turn it into a new home platform and beautify the Nagpur Railway station.

Dixit is credited with transforming the Ajni Railway station and now some south bound trains are originating and terminating from there.

The proposed world class Nagpur station is also being planned this side. Also, the Nagpur Metro will also pass from this side and will have connectivity with it.